Instrument for measuring and determining distances.



1.6. HANKSi INSTRUMENT FOR MEASURING AND' DETERMlNlNG DISTANCES.

APPLICATION FILED DECJ |907.

Patented Mar. 18, 1917.

Il l

Q@ .v w i -Hlm UNITED STATES `PATENT. OFFICE.

JOHN G'. HANKS, OFOAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,.ASSIGNOR 'IO CALIFORNIA RANGEy FINDER COMIANY, F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF ARIZONA.

INSTRUMEN T1 FOR MEASURING AND DETERMINING DISTANCES.

To all whom z't may concern.' j

Be it known that I, JOHN G. HANKsa citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Instruments for Measuring and DeterminingDistances, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in measuring instruments, and consists in mounting on a swivelingk and adjustable beam of peculiar construction, two telescopes; one fixed in respect to the beam, with i its focal line at a right angle to the axis thereof and the other telescope mouiitedon a swiveling vertical spindle and adjustable` in a horizontal plane and iii respect to the beam, by a sector, tangent screw and graduated indicating scales calibrated to readfor degrees of revolution of the tangent screw kaiid movement of the telescope, such scales or readings therefrom being directly traiislatable into distance or to the point of intersection ofthe visual lines of the telescopes without" computation or the exercise of skilled knowledge.

The object of my invention is to construct the above beam in such a manner as to suitably and substantially support the telescopes in relation to each other that they may be properly and accurately manipulated.

Figure lisa plan view of a long base beam and itsconnected parts of'one of my improved distance measuring instruments--Fig 2 is a side elevation ofone of vmy improved distance measuring instruments, mounted on a tripod, the beam resting on gimbal bearings and provided' with a pendulous weight to keep' it in a horizontal position-f-Fig. 3 is a cross section rtaken/through the base lor *f is to'employed for varying distances.

main beam on the line -m in Fig. 1-

Fig. v4, is an enlarged vertical section pivot and support when The base or beam (1),'hereinafter called A they beam, when .of .considerable lengthand Specification of `Letters Patent. Patented Mar, 13, 1917, Application filed December 17, 190'?. Serial No. 406,915. i

attached and at the ends are kheld in the `tapering metallic sockets (5) clamped by the conical'followers (20), forced in by the screw bolts (22) as shown in Fig. 5.

Attached to these sockets by the bolts v (22) are extensions (23) of modified triangular section as shown -in Fig. 4 and on Vthese extensions (23)` are fitted the sleeves (15) on which the telescopes mounted as seen in Fig. 2.-

These sleeve (15) `are adjusted on the eX- tensions (23), equally each way from the pivotal center of the beam (1) until the telescopes` (2) and (3) yare separated a predetermined distance, called the base, usually a (2) and (3) are certain number of feet depending upon the` range or distance over .which measurements are to be made, the length of beam (l) being arrangedaccordingly.

This distance between the centers of the telescopes when once determined or chosen is preserved by means of the collars (24) or by any suitable device that will accurately register or determine the position of the sleeves (15) in case they are to be removed and replaced. The length ofthe beam (1) il modified to suit variousV uses of the instruj, ment, usually from five to twenty feet, separate and interchangeable; different beams being provided with the instrument when it The means for adjusting the beam prefer- Y ably consist of the devicesshown in Figs. 2 and 7 consisting of a cord or band (43) that .passes around a grooved pulley (44) on the screw (3S) and a similar pulley (45) on a stud near the end ofthe beam, so the screw (38) can be turned from th'atv point and the beam (1) slightly adjusted in a horizontal plane when an attendant is adjusting the telescope (2).

To loosen the clamp (35) so the beam can be turned freely about its vertical axis there is provided a sliding rod (47) attached to a crank or lever (48) on the screw...(42)

so that by means of a handle (49) the rod (47) can be moved either way and the screw (42) be turned a suiiicient distance to nip or loosen the clamp (35) when an attendant is at the end of the beam (l) or from either of the telescopes or (3); when required, these devices are dual, extending each way from the center.

)Vhcn the instrument is to be employed ou shipboard the main beam pivot is arranged as shown in Figs. 2 and e, the central frame (19) being attached to a plate by screws (54). The plate is secured to a second plate by a follower ring (5T) and the whole attached to (he top llange (59) ol the spindle (i3) by screws (5S) as shown in Fig. `l.

The socket part (2S) is mounted on gimbal sup1 orts as seen in Fig. 2 or in the manner of a mariners compass so that vcrtical deviation oi. the tripod (S), or other support on which the instrument is mounted, will not be communicated to the beam (l), a peudulous weight (9) being suspended on the socket part (2S) acting to keep the beam in a horizontal position.

The gimbal frames consisting of pivots in two planes are ot the common con struction and being well understood do not require detail description here.

In case ot' oscillating motion of the weight (9) when a ship is rolling, this can be prevented bv any of the usual devices to prevent rythmic oscillation in such cases, not illustrated here because not forming a part of my present invention.

The register of the movement of the telescope (3) is observed through an aperture (100) in the easing (e) as seen in Fig. Q, and is recorded in tables of reference when the instrument is experimentally calibrated, such record being carefully preserved for tuture use so that distances can be accurately determined therefrom so long as the instrument remains in true adjustment.

In the case of moving objects such as vessels; after their distance has been ascertained, the movable telescope (3) can be slowly turned to coincide with the rate of their movement, and by comparing the arc described by the arm (S) with a period of time, the rate can be computed, the direction or angle of the objects movement being known or assumed.

Having thus described the nat-ure and objects of my invention and the manner of applying the same in practice, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. A measuring instrument comprising a beam composed of longitudinal members, a conical wedge received between the ends of the members, and a. socket adapted to fit over the wedge for holding the longitudinal members thereagainst.

2. A measuring instrument cou'lprising a. beam composed of longitudinal members, a conical wedge having grooves therein, said longitudinal members converging at their ends and adapted to be received in the grooves, and a socket adapted to fit over the wedge for holding the longitudinal members in the grooves.

3. A mmsuring instrument, comprising a beam consisting ot a plurality ot members, a support inserted between the centers of the members and against which the latter bear, the ends of the members being caused to converge, and means embracing the latter and holding them together in opposition to the resistance ol.E thc central support.

-l. A measuringr instrument, comprising a.

beam consisting ot a plurality of members, a support inserted between the centers of the members a'nd against which the latter bear, the ends of the members being caused to converge, means embracing the. latter and holding them together in opposition to the resistance of the central support, and means connected with the support to form a horizontal bearing whereby the entire beam is pivoted on its center.

5. A measuring instrument, comprising a beam consisting of a plurality of members, a support inserted between the centers of the members and against which the latter bear, the ends of the members being caused to converge, means embracing the latter and holding them together in opposition to the resistance of the central support, extensions, and means connected with the ends of the members for clamping the extensions thereto.

6. A measuring instrument, comprising a beam consisting of a plurality of members, a support inserted between the centers of the members and against which the latter bear, the ends of the members being caused to converge, means embracing the latter and holding them together in opposition to the resistance of the central support, extensions, means connected with the ends of the members for clamping the extensions thereto.

7. A range finder, comprising a beam, consisting o f a plurality of members, means for holding the members apart at the center, Spacing means between the ends of the members, and clamping means for holding the ends of the members in tight embrace against said spacing means, and exerting inward pressure thereagainst in opposition to the resistance of the central means and said clamping means.

8. A range finder, comprising a beam consisting of a plurality of members, means for holding the members apart at the center, spacing means between the ends of the members, clamping means for holding the ends of the members in tight embrace against said spacing means, and exertng inward pressure thereagainst in 0p- In testimony whereof I affix my signature position to thel resista-nce of the central in presence of two Witnesses. means and end clamping means, extensions, H HANK and means extending through the end means JO N G' S' 5 and extensions for holding the latter cen- Witnesses:

trally connected with the ends of the mem- ASA V. MENDENHALL, bers. G. W. LAUGAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

